The panelists will reflect on the powerful legacy of stripper-organizers, how they built workplace solidarity, the role of art in their activism, and challenges. Equity Strippers NoHo, formed by Star Garden dancers in N.Hollywood, are the first to unionize in 25+ years. They champion dancers’ rights at labor conferences and colleges.
Queer history includes strippers aka sex workers. Allies are not just welcome—they’re needed to witness, uplift, and support a future where strip work is dignified and celebrated.
(Note: “Bad Girls Like Good Contracts – the fight for unionization at the Lusty Lady in San Francisco,” 1992-1998).
Participant Bios:
Spirited entrepreneur and creative artist Natalie Clark, aka ‘Nats Honey’ (she/her), is President of Strippers United and a member of the Stripper Co-op. Nats is a seasoned producer, who founded Honey’s Artistic Pot in 2008, where she’s mentored many artists through collaborations, consulting, sponsorships, and events showcasing their talents.
“Reagan” (she/her) (MFA in Acting from CalArts) is a queer stripper, union organizer, and AEA Union theatre artist. In 2020 she co-founded the Cyber Clown Girls virtual show to uplift the out-of-work stripper community. In 2021 she co-founded the Stripper Co-op, and in 2022 she helped to unionize Star Garden.
Riv is a queer visual and performance artist who uses chaos and humor to both disarm and captivate her audience. She produces, performs in, and edits her own comedy show, Stupid Hawt Cooking Show, a blend of improv, satire, bad cooking, and feminine rage. The show also weaves in messages on social issues such as sustainability, ableism, and consent. In 2021, Riv co-founded Stripper Co-op, and in 2022, she went on strike and successfully unionized Star Garden. In previous roles, she has produced art shows and managed music programs at three Boys & Girls Clubs in Southern California.
Kayla Tange, also known as Coco Ono, is a multidisciplinary artist working across performance, video, and sculpture to interrogate labor, embodiment, and identity. She holds a BA in Art with a Gender Studies minor from UCLA. She co-founded Cyber Clown Girls, Sacred Wounds, and Stripper Co-op.
Velveeta was fired from Star Garden in retaliation for objecting to wage theft and sued. 2022: When customer behavior worsened, unchecked by management, she and coworkers walked out. They picketed – demanding safety, diversity, and fair wages – drew media attention, built a following, and support from fellow labor activists.
This program is organized by Jerri Allyn and is co-presented with the Los Angeles LGBT Center as part of Circa: Queer Histories Festival 2025, presented by One Institute.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center is a safe and welcoming place where the LGBTQ+ community finds help, hope, and support when it is needed the most.